What happens when an elderly dies with no life insurance/burial plot/funeral money or family and is in considerable debt?

Re Ferris 1's response: If someone has no assets, there is no point in having a will, because there is nothing to distribute. When a person dies without a will, any assets (in this case, none) are distributed in accordance with State intestate succession laws. While debts do not disappear, if there are no assets to pay them, creditors must write them off.

Depending on your state and locality will depend on what funds are available. In Maryland you must apply/register to the Anatomy Gifts registery. They just don't take anybody and it must be done prior to death. Some local governments may have a small amount to help offset costs. Also, contact different funeral home in regard to cremation, you'll be surprised by the difference in cost. Explaiing the situation they will normally negotiate a fair cost with no extras and even prepay paid burial is option. Finding a funeral home that does their own cremation is a bonus.

Your assumptions are pretty much correct. There are homeless people that die here every day. They are held for identification and to find any relatives, assets, etc.then after all that they are buried at a very minimal expense to the tax payers.

There are 2 options. 1. Donate body to science, ashes (whats left) can be returned to family within 6-8 months. 2. The state takes body and creamates, puts ashes with all of the other unwanted and unclaimed.

Debt does not disappear with death. ANY assets a person has is used to pay those debts. Sorry, but you cannot escape your indebtedness just because you die and since everyone does die eventually, better be prepared with a will regardless of having any heirs or not.

Even with family, anyone who takes any responsibility may end up spending money. My DIL and her sister had been helping an uncle with groceries. Meds trips to dr. Etc, and even tho he had 6 or 8 siblings, the nieces paid for cremation, and when a brother got some funds the girls weren't aware of, he didn't offer to pay them back. Disappointing, but they would do it again if needed.
My mom got a prearranged funeral when she was widowed and had to sell the family home, and I did it when I was widowed at about the same age and got a life insurance payout. I also, when I sold my home, started paying for long term health care insurance so my kids won't have to help finance my care and my daughter won't have to drive 300 miles to make sure I have the care. Hopefully husband and I will be able to help each other get the care when needed. He also has that insurance. I can't tell you the peace of mind it gives us! I have a son who lives near and my kids are all my hubby has too, but thankfully they both love him and would help him all they could, within reason, should I die first.
I wonder about people who do NOTHING, as they see later years approaching and don't have some plan in place. Makes me think they didn't think much of themselves, and certainly no concern for those who would have to deal with their death when it happens. But I have sympathy for people with no family or caring friends, unless it is their choice to die that way. Life is like a maze, you see something puzzling at every turn.

$255.00 paid to Surving spouse by SSA. Please check your states Register of Wills office for your states requirements regarding Wills. A will is one of the most important of all legal documents. It is the legal declaration of a person's intentions and desires that he directs to be carried out after his death.
I have never heard of the first $100,000. being waive without a Will. An asset, is an asset, is an asset. Even dispersering ones personal belongings should be addressed.
It is Federal Law that Social Security benefits, SSI payments, cannot be garnished by any creditor. If an overpayment of benefits, child support, owe federal taxes (15% can be taken) or federal student loan or agency they can attach funds over $750.00. If government check is deposited in an account that other funds are deposited in then that account could be seized. Keep the accounts separate.
If a person receives monies from Medicaid that state has a right to recoup their money after the person dies. It's only fair. I often hear, let the state pay for their nursing home care, well you and I are paying for that care to a tune of about $8,000.00 or more a month per person.
The trend now is to keep people out of the nursing homes and in the community where individuals are happier and it's cheaper. All part of the Affordable Health Care Act-Community First Choice (persons with disabilities) & Community Option (Long term care).

If you are dying of heart failure in the near future,where can a person who still has something good to offer go to work for room and board and die peacefully.at one point.where is the humanity.

If you have no funds, family or assets call your trusted funeral director or cremation society and pre-pay even $25 a month if possible (it does add up). As a funeral director.. I've never turned any-deceased away. The funeral home will respectfully handle the details. We just don't want a phone call, story telling or lying. We work closely with other groups in the similar situations like hospice, united way or catholic charities. It's all good.

If no one claims the body, the state will cremate it and put the ashes in a grave with lots of other ashes. If you donate the body to a nearby medical school, they pick up the body and return the ashes to you about a year later.